Most of us like games, but some of us really, truly love them. Whether it's for the fun, the challenge, or the thrill of competition, there's really nothing like getting into a great game.
Sound familiar? Then why not work for a company that loves games as much as you do?
Whether it's video games, crossword puzzles, or good old-fashioned sports you're into, see if one of these cool workplaces might be the perfect match for you.
1. Lumosity
Lumosity is the web's #1 brain training program, and it helps users improve their memory, sharpen attention, and attain overall mental fitness by playing mobile games.
Besides working on games all day, employees practice what they preach and spend time playing themselves. The office Game Room includes ping pong, foosball, Rock Band, shuffleboard, darts, Wii Fit, and even an old-fashioned guitar. A crowd favorite is the office crossword puzzle—put up each week by five-time national crossword champion Tyler Hinman. The team works collaboratively throughout the week to finish the puzzle, which hangs on the wall of the kitchen.
See Lumosity’s Office | Jobs at Lumosity
2. Scopely
Scopely creates addictive, multiplayer mobile games loved by users around the world, and it also provides a platform for independent game studios to publish mobile games of their own.
The LA-based team of game lovers is “constantly laughing and talking to each other, and we take trips as a team just to get to know each other even better,” says VP of Business Development Sujay Tyle. Plus, Scopely feeds its employees catered lunches, offers free weekly massages, and has been known to give out signing bonus wrapped in bacon. Enough said.
3. Apportable
Apportable recompiles iOS games so they can run on other platforms automatically, giving Android users access to all the same apps that iPhone owners love. “Our mission is to bring excellent games to the Android platform so more and more people can enjoy them,” says Apportable staffer Christina Kelly.
Not surprisingly, there’s some serious gaming history in the office. Kelly used to stream StarCraft, Marc Salem has been a longtime fan of Commodore 64 and Civilization, and Chinmay Garde has played more Halo than he’d like to admit. “Now I have a really good excuse to try out a ton of games—it’s research!” says Garde.
See Apportable’s Office | Jobs at Apportable
4. Justin.tv & TwitchTV
Justin.tv is the easiest way to share live video, and TwitchTV—J.tv's gaming alter ego—is forming the largest video game broadcasting community in the world.
And that's why the company has packed its staff with people who are obsessed with video games. Director of Marketing Amber Dalton, for one, is also a professional Halo player and runs PMS Clan, the largest group of women competitive gamers worldwide. “I’m here because when they started TwitchTV, they wanted real gamers," she says.
Software engineer Jorge adds, “A lot of the engineers are exactly like me—they really like to play games. They get excited about the gaming industry, and software, too."
See Justin.tv & TwitchTV's Office | Jobs at Justin.tv & TwitchTV
5. SeatGeek
Do you like your games of the football or basketball variety? SeatGeek lets you search for the best deals for tickets to sporting events (and concerts and theatre events, too).
The SeatGeek team is a group of self-proclaimed “hackers and web geeks” who love competition and fun in equal measure: “A lot of people here love playing ping pong. It can get pretty intense,” says Nihal Singhal, VP of Business Development. You’ll also find spur-of-the-moment Nerf basketball games, crazy competitive after-work bowling, Xbox wars, and more.